Free food, fish and fundraisers on this week's culinary calendar

It's Cinco de Mayo today, and although the city celebrated this unofficial holiday over the weekend, there's still plenty to do in Denver today -- and all week. In addition to Mexican beers and margaritas, the culinary calendar includes private chef dinners, a chocolate festival and even some free food. Keep reading for a taste of what's on the agenda.

Lola opened at noon today for the sixth annual Picnic of the Pig, with $2 Tecate and $3 Pacifico beers all day. The regular happy hour deals will run from noon to 4 p.m. and a special pig menu from 4 p.m. to close. There will also be live music starting at 6 p.m., with The Recovery Act & Lane, Meadows and Levy of the Congress. Find more info here.

WomenCook!, the tenth annual fundraiser for Work Options for Women, should be cooking tonight. WOW's mission is "to help impoverished women gain the skills and confidence they need to work their way out of poverty and become gainfully and permanently employed in the food service industry," and you can help the non-profit fund this worthy goal while a casual, walk-around evening of tasting and conversation with more than a dozen of the area's top women chefs, including Jennifer Jasinski, Samm Sherman and Carrie Blake. Each will be serving up signature dishes for the event. WomenCook! runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Temple Emanuel, 51 Grape Street. Tickets are $125, and just about gone; to find out if you can snag one, visit workoptions.org.

Tuesday, May 6

Today Chipotle is honoring those vital, yet often unsung heroes of society, educators. From 4 p.m. to closing teachers, faculty and staff with a valid faculty ID can get a free burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos when they buy one at regular price.

Get a taste of the Landry's Signature Chef Series before it wraps up with the grand finale next Tuesday. This week McCormick's Fish House and its chef, Joseph Ramirez, are in the spotlight. Dinner starts at 7 p.m. and reservations are $95 per person or $75 for Landry's Select Club Members. For more information or to make reservations, call 303-825-1107. You can check out the full menu for the evening here.

Wednesday, May 7

The Boulder Farmers' Market will hold its first Wednesday Night Market of 2014 this evening. The Wednesday Farmers' Market will feature local fruits, vegetables, meats, poultry, flowers and food, along with a beer and wine garden and live music. The market is located on 13th Street between Canyon Boulevard and Arapahoe Avenue in downtown Boulder; admission is free. For more information visit boulderfarmers.org.

Thursday, May 8

Live Basil Pizza is hosting its Fresh Pizza day today. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., customers at each of its five locations (two in Denver, as well as spots in Federal Heights, Glendale and Lakewood) can get a free pizza, choosing from one of the local chain's thirteen signature pizzas or building their own. In lieu of payment Live Basil is encouraging guests to donate to Jessie's Homes for Families. Learn more about Jessie's Homes here.

Get your geek on tonight at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and "Retro Data and Drinks," a night of old-school games and Old-Fashioneds. There will be Super Nintendos, Nintendos, N64s, Sega Genesis and GameCubes on hand, provided by Game Force Boulder and special guest Elijah Taylor, founder of Level 7 Games and Free Art Friday in Denver. You can get your game on from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for $15 or $12 for museum members; tickets include one Old-Fashioned. For more information visit the BMoCA website.

Friday, May 9

Chocolate lovers rejoice: The Colorado Chocolate Festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. today at the Denver Mart. There will be contests for the best fudge, best toffee, best chocolate design, best cake -- in a variety of categories -- and many others. Some of the best chocolatiers and chocolate vendors from several states will be represented. Tickets for the event are $5 and tasting tickets are 12 for $10 or 25 for $20. For more information and a list of events click here.

For information on dozens of culinary events around town, visit our online Food & Drink listings -- and if you have information for a culinary event you'd like included in our online calendar, send it to cafe@westword.com.